Visual arts are created to be observed by those who look at them. They are typically finished before the audience sees them. Performing arts, which are performed in front of an audience, are frequently contrasted with visual arts. The decorative arts, drawing, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture are examples of two-dimensional and three-dimensional arts. A visual artist is someone who creates visual art.
A visual artist with any of the aforementioned specialties could work in a variety of ways. A painter might use watercolors, acrylics, or oil paints, for example. A photographer may specialize in black-and-white photography or create color photographs that have been heavily manipulated using photo-editing software. A sculptor could create sculptures out of wood, clay, marble, granite, or wood, or out of found objects. When it comes to drawing, a visual artist might use charcoal, pencil, crayon, pastels, felt markers, or pen and ink. Visual artists can also work in a variety of disciplines or combine them in novel ways.
An art school or a college or university art department can provide training for a visual artist. Frequently, the degree awarded is a Fine Arts degree. Before deciding on a medium to focus on, the degree candidate will often study art history and theory as well as a variety of media. Fine arts degrees are available at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is frequently regarded as a terminal degree, but a PhD in visual arts is also possible, though doctoral degrees are often more theoretical, focusing on theory and criticism.
Aside from the job of making art, which is often done by self-employed visual artists, there are a variety of jobs that a visual artist can hold. A book illustrator, for example, could be a visual artist who draws, prints, photographs, or paints. A graphic designer might work for a marketing firm or as a web designer. A number of visual artists go on to teach in schools, colleges, and universities, as well as in art studios and museums that offer art education programs. Other visual artists may pursue careers as museum curators or critics.